Half troll, half sheep. Am I a stroll, a streep or a trollop?

Posted by: Alex S. on 11 October 2001

I read a hi-fi magazine once. It said that I'd get a much better sound per pound if I bought separates instead of a system made by a single manufacturer.

I went off and bought an all Naim system but different speakers since Naim didn't make any at the time.

Recently, I have added a succession of Naim boxes, some expensive, some very expensive. This allowed me to think about possible deviation from an established path and to entertain the scandalous notion that I might be able to build a more rewarding system for my budget based on cherry picking the best products of any given manufacturer.

In other words, I want to build a medium to high end separates system.

I must start with a clarification of three points:

1. If money were no object I would have a top end all Naim system with Wilson Benesch Act 1s.

2. I don't dislike the 82 preamp, but I think a 32.5 is also very good and costs less than £200.

I prefer an 82/Super to a 32.5/Super. I rate 32.5/Super and an 82/Hi as equally enjoyable but in different ways. 32.5, warmer, just as musical, full of PR&T and better in my set-up. The 82 is more 'hi-fi' but was harsh in my set-up. By selling it I got a 32.5, Linto, Troika and a Lingo which amounted to a rather better vinyl source.

3. The Supercap is a wonderful piece of kit, but it is expensive and with a 32.5 I use 2/15ths of it, with an 82, 4/15ths. Perhaps this is not the most cost-effective use of resources.

I wish to clarify my Naim position once and for all:

1. Equipment I love:

CDS2, 52, 500

2. Equipment I like a lot:

Supercap, CDPS, XPS, 32.5, 250, 135s, Naim tuners, Aro

3. Equipment I like:

110, 140, CD3

4. Equipment I don't like that much at its price point, in my system:

CDX, 82, Naim Speakers

5. Equipment I don't like at all:

None

6. Equipment I don't know well enough to comment:

The rest

Based on the above it seems sensible to think about a system something like this:

CDS2/CDPS/Black Burndy/A preamp which costs about 2K which isn't an 82/A 250, 135s or something else that costs either 2K or 4K: Dynavector?/Non-Naim Speakers.

So, I am laid bare, colours nailed to the mast.

The forum advice I give is based on the opinions above, but I would never just jump in and say the 82 or CDX are rubbish and spend most of my time extolling the virtues of the Naim equipment I like. I never comment on equipment I have not auditioned.